Mexico

Mexico City Travel Guide

Mexico City Travel Guide

A frenzied, colourful, ancient city, still spiced up
by Aztec and Spanish influences, Mexico City is a fascinating but
challenging destination.

Not only is it one of the world's biggest cities, but it is a
hip, happening place to be, so it is not surprising that trendy
travellers are increasingly choosing to holiday in Mexico City.
It's a sprawling, untidy modern metropolis with ancient Aztec
undertone. People are attracted to the city by its inexpensive
restaurants,
wild and varied nightlife, dozens of
wonderful museums, and colourful craft markets. Anyone who enjoys a
fast-paced urban playground will relish a holiday in this
rambunctious capital, but some travellers may find the polluted
metropolis a bit overwhelming.

Mexico City is a day-trippers paradise, and many use it as a
base for excursions to the nearby ancient city of
Teotihuacán and the numerous charming colonial towns within
easy reach. While some travellers visit the city as a transit point
on a resort holiday, it is so vast and has so many worthwhile
attractions that it is impossible to cover everything in a single
holiday, let alone a single weekend.

Best time to visit Mexico City

The climate of Mexico City is generally mild year round. The
best time to travel to Mexico City is during spring, in the warmest
months, April and May. Winter (December/January) can be rather cold
and the city's smog is at its worst during this period. The rainy
season runs from May to October, but if you choose to holiday in
Mexico City during this period you should still have plenty of
sunny days in between the downpours.

What to do in Mexico City

- Explore the charming suburb of San
Angel, an artsy district full of cafes, museums and
markets.

- Enjoy the bars, restaurants and dance clubs of Mexico City's
party district, the Zona Rosa.

Beyond Mexico City

Mexico City is the main travel hub of the country and a common
starting point for all sorts of Mexican holidays. One of the
advantages of using the city as a base is the plethora of great
daytrips made possible by the proximity of many interesting towns
and natural attractions. Nearby towns like Guanajuato, Tepotzotlan,
Tlaxcala and Puebla are notable for their colonial features; a
breathtakingly scenic road winds to Cuetzalan, 113 miles (182km)
east of Mexico City; and Tepoztlan, an hour's drive south of the
city, is wonderful for hiking and a taste of Aztec culture.

Getting there

Mexico City International Airport, officially called Benito
Juarez International Airport, is situated six miles (10km) east of
Mexico City, and is the busiest airport in the country. In fact, it
is so busy that it can be a frustrating airport and visitors should
anticipate long queues. There are direct flights to Mexico City
from London and a number of European cities, and numerous cheap
flights from all over the US.

Did you know?

- Perhaps jealous of the coastal resorts, Mexico City has
several artificial beaches.

- The National University of Mexico is the oldest university in
North America.

- Mexico City is one of the most populous cities in the
world.

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